Popular Program For Seniors Offers Guided Skiing All Day. For Free.
Credit: Tamsin Venn
On one of those perfect bluebird Colorado days, I rode up the Gondola at Steamboat (www.Steamboat.com) with a group of women from the Indianapolis Ski Club (www.indyskiclub.org), who thought I was one of them. All us skiers look alike in our goggles and helmets.
They were spending a week here and were on their way to join Mountain Masters, a program at Steamboat for skiers and riders 50 years and over that meets daily at 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. right outside Thunderhead Lodge at the top of the Gondola. Mountain Masters replaced the long-standing Over the Hill Gang when Steamboat wished to consolidate senior programs.
Mountain Masters is the only program of its kind in the U.S. that offers free all-day, guided skiing for seniors, according to one guide. You just need to sign a waiver, then head out and join a group: The “mellows” ski intermediate groomed runs, the middle group, the groomed blues and blacks, and the top group, bumps and powder. My new friends, Janet and Marilyn, with whom I buddied up, had been skiing groomed blue all week and wanted to up their game with someone leading the way.
Credit: Tamsin Venn
For fledgling Steamboaters, Mountain Masters takes the guesswork out of where to ski on this mountain with 168 trails and 16 lifts spread over nearly 3,000 acres. But the program is also very popular with locals and many vacationers actually return to Steamboat because of it.
Take Anne Keddie from Dundee, Scotland. Each year, she and her husband spend four weeks at Steamboat, in part because of the program. He snowboards on the gnarly tree runs like Closets and Shadows, while she likes to rip down the groomed blacks.
Why is this so wildly popular?
As one participant said, no one wants to ski alone. Whether you’ve skied the mountain before or haven’t, it’s nice to have someone lead you to the uncrowded spots according to the day’s traffic, plus follow the grooming and sun across the mountain.
And the anecdotes and tips are fun and useful. Don’t try to outrun a moose you see on the trail (“Moose Don’t Shoo”). A bear hibernates off the Hurricane trail. Here’s where the champagne powder is stashed. Get up speed for the connector ahead. Use the Burgess Creek lift when Storm Peak Express is too crowded. Head for the Pony Express first thing in the morning to rip the groomed blacks, or else sunny Sunshine Peak. The north facing Norther keeps good snow on its bumps. Cyclone is the easiest black on the mountain. Four Points has the best food. For luck, touch the shoulder of Buddy Werner’s bust before jetting down Buddy’s Run. That is all invaluable for the first time and regular Steamboat skier alike.
Steve Cozette is our guide today, a very personable, experienced, and knowledgeable skier. He leads our large group with the assurance of a cowboy taking his herd to pasture.
No reservations needed. Just show up. You should be able to comfortably ski blue runs. Group size varies from one or two people to eight or more. Rest breaks for hot chocolate and stops to enjoy the scenery, or to perhaps hear a little local history, are all part of the experience.
Mountain Stats
Base: 6,900 feet
Mt. Werner Elevation: 10,568 feet
Vertical Rise: 3,668 feet
Permitted Acres: 2,965 acres
Trails: 165 named trails
Trail Classification: 14% Beginner 42% Intermediate 44% Advanced
Total Lifts: 16
Annual Snowfall: 349
Snowmaking: 375 acres
Anne Kelvin, Laryn Peterson, Marilyn Rader, Janet Zusman, Sue Johnson
Credit: Tamsin Venn
Great example about beneficial program for older skiers at Steamboat. More ski areas should do this for alpine, Nordic and snowshoe.
We certainly agree Roger. We sense a trend in senior/master programs across North America, especially mid-week where there are lessons, guided runs, even racing and social events apres ski. It is important for ski resorts to nuture their most loyal, long-time customers. Why not? They benefit and their cost is really nil to minor.
What a great idea! I’ve stopped accompanying my husband on his conferences out west because I don’t enjoy skiing alone. I’ll have to start checking again 🙂
Great to see seniors out skiing with buddies and newly made buddies. It is nice to see that Steamboat has guests that are seniors and want to ski with other seniors. However, as a guide of the senior set, I would like to make the pitch to hire a guide for your skiing. Hiring a guide can be done as an individual or a group. People hire me to show them the mountain, put them on the best conditions (best snow and terrain), help them with safety matters, share stories about the local natural and cultural history, and act as a concierge. I make my living off of guiding. Remember, every volunteer takes a viable job away from another person who is not yet retired or may never be able to retire due to a changing economy. So, those that are fortunate enough to be retired, please hire a guide and part with some of that hard earned retirement money.
I was a volunteer guide at Steam Boat for two years. We were called Mountain Ambassadors, maybe still are. I loved it. Just for clarification, they also do guided snow shoeing. Also, just to be clear, you need to buy a lift ticket. (grin)
Good morning everyone,
I have a problem and I don’t know if this is the right place to solve it. I am a retired doc who has a “bucket list” item to take care of. I have a job opportunity at Granby Ranch Ski Area for this season. At the last minute my housing fell through and I am desperate to find a room for myself. my wife and small dog.
We are good folks who love skiing and just being in the snow. If anyone can help we would be forever in your debt.
Thanks so much